Respirator



N. K. BENOS April 22, 1941.

RESPIRA'IOR Filed Sept. 1, 1959 Patented Apr. 22, 1941 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE RESPIRATOR Nicholas K. Benos, Salt Lake City, UtahApplication September 1, 1939, Serial No. 293,077

1 Claim.

My invention relates to respirators and has for its object to provide anew and improved mask for use in smelters and the like.

A further object is to provide a mask which may be used for dust, gas,or other undesirable conditions where men are required to work undertrying circumstances and which mask has an ease of use and coolness tothe face not found in most masks for the purposes.

A still further object is to provide a mask which may be used by smelterand mine workers where they work in high temperatures and encounter bothgas and dust conditions, which mask may have the filter and air coolingchambers provided with suitable sponges, and being wet keeps the face ofthe wearer cooler and provide cold air for him to breathe.

These objects I accomplish with the device illustrated in theaccompanying drawing in which similar numerals and letters of referenceindicate like parts throughout the several views and as described in thespecification forming a part of this application and pointed out in theappended claim.

In the drawing in which I have shown my mask,

Figure 1 is a face view thereof.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a rear view of the mask part of the face cloth removed.

Figure 4 is a vertical section of the mask.

Figure 5 is a diametrical transverse section of one of the air filterand cooler casings enlarged over the other views of the drawing.

In the drawing I have shown my device as made of an elongatedoval-shaped hollow body A, formed of rubber and having the rim whichengages the face stiffened by an encompassing flange 5. This body A isformed with the upper area 6 forming the nose area, and the lowerbroader area 1, the mouth area. Transversely across the bottom area ofthe body A there is a chin strip 9 extending from side wall to side walland adapted to engage the chin of the wearer just below the lower lip.This strip 9 holds the mask in proper position in relation to the mouthof the wearer and prevents excessive surface of r in engaging the face.One of the es being that the mask touches e wearer only around itsperimeter ere is suflicient area surrounding the nose to give good breachamber.

The bottom edge he body engages under the front surface offt chin, andthe apex of the body at H engages the bridge of the nose with the sidesof the flange 5 engaging the cheeks on each side of the mouth, thusproviding a mask for the respiratory organs which does not cover anexcessive area of the face of the wearer so that in hot furnaces andaround smelters where there is excessive heat, he is not troubled by theperspiration over his entire face as in the case of most similar masks.

A head strap B is attached to each side wall of the body A and isadapted to be engaged around the head of the wearer just below the earsholding the mask in firm fixed position on the head of the wearer. Thestrap ends are secured by snap fasteners l2 similar to those used ongloves, etc., by which the strap is detachably attached to the mask sothat when the strap is worn out, new ones may be replaced. The strap ismade preferably of rubber filled or elastic fabric.

On each side wall 13 of the broader area I of the body A I provideopenings in which cylindrical inhalators C are mounted. These inhalatorsconsist of casings l5 and I6 and are secured by riveting the inner endof a smaller diametered tubular portion l8 through the openings and tothe wall I3 of the body A. The casings l5 and I6 are threaded to receivea removable like threaded closure l9 which closure is provided withperforations 20 through the face thereof.

Within the cover adjacent the perforated face, I then place a filterfabric 2| and within the cylinder casings l5 and I6, I place roundrubber disks 22 which disks are made of sponge and will remove all dustand which rubber, being saturated with water or other solutions, removesall other impurities from the air.

Centrally through the lower portion of the broader area I I provide anexhaler tube 24, which tube extends beyond the front face of the maskand onto which there is placeda relief valve member 25. This valvemember is preferably made of rubber with a tapered body merging into aflat top 28 and fiat bottom 29 and with the end 2! closed. Along oneside of this tube on the end of the body 26 there is a slit whichprovides a valve which by action of the top- 28 and bottom 29 on the endof the body 26 spreading when air is exhaled by the user andconstricting when air is inhaled by the user controls the air in themask. With this type of control the air is exhaled without restraint andwithout it having to be forced around the sides of the mask.

A fabric face strip 3| is formed to fit the perimeter of the body A totake up moisture and odors and keep the edge of the mask clean. Thisstrip is removable if desired.

The operation of the mask is as follows:

With the face strip over the flange 5, the mask is secured on the headby passing the head strap around the head just below the ears. Thissecures .the mask firmly over the bridge of the nose and down aroundeach side of the mouth and slightly under the chin. When so secured allexterior air is excluded from the area within the mask body A. The userin inhaling draws all of the air through the filter and sponge rubberdisks into the body A and when exhaling, the force of air opens theslits in the sides of the body 26 and the air escapes. As each breath isdrawn in, the sides 28 and 29 are drawn together to prevent any air fromentering the mask through the tubes 26 and 24.

Having thus described my invention I desire to secure by Letters Patentand claim:

A mask-of the class described comprising, an oval-shaped body adapted tofit over the bridge of the nose and under the chin of the wearer;

a chin strap secured from edge to edge of said body to fit against theface of the chin and prevent the body of the mask from being pressedback against the features of the wearer; an exhaler tube mountedcentrally at the front and lower side of the mask; a relief valvesecured onto said tube, said valve having its end tapered down to formhorizontal side walls with slots along each side thereof and with theend closed, said valve to extend forwardly from the body of the mask toprevent its coming into contact with the clothing or body of the wearerwhen his head is bent, said valve to permit exhaust of breath from themask and prevent intake thereinto; air cleaner cylinders mounted on eachside of the mask, said cylinders being small in diameter so that theywill not engage the face of the wearer;

, a removable cover for said cleaners having its

